malachite
spotted malachite from Zaire
spotted malachite from Zaire
polished malachite cabochon
malachite cabochon from Katanga
Detailed sheet
malachite
Described by Pliny in 77 AD., its name recalls and its fault, poor hardness “malakos” which means soft in Greek, as well as its green color “malake”, which means purple green in Greek.
The Egyptians, the Greeks the Romans used it since ancient times. It served as decoration, to make objects of art or of religion, and in powder, it was used as makeup or as a base for dyes.
It has a light green to dark green color, with alternating dark and light bands forming rectilinear figures or scalloped, complex, irregular. Its crystals are rare, acicular and very small, not big enough to carve translucent stones or even transparent.
It is at the Hermitage Palace in St. Petersburg that we can observe finest collections of objects made of malachite.
The Eilat stone is a mixture of malachite, chrysocolla, azurite and turquoise.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Cu2[CO3](OH)2
copper carbonate mineral
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
green
all shades of green in ribbons or concentric rings when it is sawed
Color of streak
green
Luster
dull, silky
Hardness
3.5 to 4.0
Density
3.20 to 4.10
Cleavage
perfect
Fracture
fibrous, uneven
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
opaque, translucent
very small translucent crystals
Refractive index
1.655 - 1.910
Double refraction
0.254
very strong biaxial negative
visible double refraction
No
Pleochroism
very strong
Number of colors
3
colorless, green yellow, deep green
Fluorescence
none
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
rarely crystallized, it is found in the form of aggregates of concentric layers consisting of needles. We know botryoidal nodules and stalactites.
crystals system
monoclinic
OTHER INFORMATIONS
Astrological sign
Aquarius, Aries, Capricorn, Leo
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
This mineral is widespread and, formerly, in Russia, near Sverdloslk (Urals), same deposits have delivered blocks of over 20 tons, which, once cut, used to decorate the palaces of the tsars. We can mention Zaire, the former Katanga, which remains the world’s largest producer, but also Zambia, Australia (Queensland, New South Wales), Chile, the United States (Arizona), Namibia, Zimbabwe.
It is often associated in copper deposits with azurite, turquoise and chrysocolla.
use in jewelry
Although fragile, malachite is a stone sought to make balls for necklaces (that quickly become heavy depending on the size of the items), bracelets, cabochons for rings, earrings and various objects (boxes, small boxes, ashtrays, plates, sculptured animals and polite …). Note that the heat of cigarettes stains and ruins the malachite ashtrays.
For the sculptor or decorator, seeking to make the most of color bands, the peacock’s eye is a variety which they appear concentric.
Daily care
and precautions
It is a copper carbonate attacked by acids, heat, ammonia. To clean promptly with warm soapy water, rinse and dry immediately with a soft cloth.
imitations and
treatments
Today, the imitations are rare and of no commercial interest. There are mosaics of low quality, made of malachite platelets. There are now synthetic pigments of the same color.
Historical
healing properties
From its dark and light bands that give it a multitude of aspects, this stone reminds us that the shadow and light complete each other, as in life. She would recall the light that we would have driven back into the darkness of our unconscious, blocking our progress. It would teach us to accept our twilight zones and thereby to get rid of our weaknesses. It would promote the connection between the cerebral hemispheres, restoring the balance between feelings and morality. It symbolizes intelligence, would enhance the capacity of persuasion by facilitating clear speech. It would promote growth and would therefore be beneficial to pregnant women and young children.
In Africa, it is claimed that one who drinks water from a malachite container, understands the language of animals.
Absorbing energy, it can be applied in many places but not limited to a particular chakra. However, recently we consider that a concentric circular slice placed on the heart chakra competes to solve emotional problems.
Other
Gems
Venez visitez
notre site web
voillot-joaillier.fr
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec.
